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It’s Not the Heat…

…it’s the humidity. Oh, this wet, soggy armpit of a city where I now find myself. I tell you it borders on heinous to be a menopausal woman in this town right now. I’m like an oil slick from the moment I open my eyes until I lay my head down again to flip flop around like an old fish between the sticky sheets. It’s been weeks now of weather that people who are clearly suffering from some sort of derangement call “lovely.” I tell you I’m no good for it. Even at the height of my estrogen-filled heyday humidity and I were fierce foes. But here’s the best part: I have A/C. Its the only reason I’m still alive.

I have all the vigour of a very long and skinny wet noodle. I’m supposed to be writing and I am, I am, honestly. I finished a novel recently (please direct all prayers, vibes, and voodoo to the publishing powers that be) and I’ve started in on another, but the inside of my head is as muggy as the outside world. So I’ve turned to the words of others: Less by Andrew Sean Greer, Tin Man by Sarah Winman, The Path of Most Resistance by fellow Newfoundlander Russell Wangersky, and I have been momentarily revived and inspired. Then I step out into the wavy searing sunshine and a new round of wilt sets in.

They say we’ve a few more weeks of this mess to endure, and I suppose I shouldn’t grumble. It’ll be sleet and snow and power outages galore soon enough in my part of the world. So, distract me for a moment and tell me what’s happening where you are. Tell me what you’re reading. And tell me your secrets to keep cool. From my window I can see a young boy gleefully running through a sprinkler in nothing but superhero underpants. He’s the picture of glistening, goosebumpy joy. I’ve got a black thong and a pink shower cap at the ready. Cover me, I’m going in.

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13 Responses to It’s Not the Heat…

Solve your problem. Move to Oregon. Lovely green Oregon, land of mild summer .I’ve lived here’re than 30 years and I don’t think we’ve ever had more than three days of weather above 90. Hasn’t happened yet this year. Today it’s overcast and gray and the temperature is 72 right now. The clouds may disperse before sundown, which happens around 8. these days.

Preach it, sister! Swear it has been 33-47C with humidex for over a month now. I am dying even with central air. Woke up this am and discovered our thermostat is not working and IT IS A LONG WEEKEND so all of the repair gods/goddesses are sunning themselves at the lake/beach.I have lost all reason and it’s only been an hour. – my Jim knows for sure now that I am demented.

Here in Toronto the humidex will be around 42 for whole bloody weekend. It has been a terrible summer for me because I hate the heat. In addition to that I am in line for a total knee replacement in the fall. I am currently reading Sea of Memories by Fiona Valpy. Set in both Edinburgh and Ile de Re, a very welcome distraction.

Well, here, we are very grateful for having our 50cm thick stone walls to keep us from the heat wave!
As I was anxious I would forget the English that my mother spoke to me as a child, I’ve joined an English book club gathering people around Semur and started reading again in my old forgotten mothertongue.
The last book is one of a Nigerian author : Chimanda Ngozi Adichie called Americanah!
Still gardening flowers and vegetable garden and hosting guests in our gîte in Villars.
Do let me know when your book gets edited : I’ll suggest we read it in our book club… Love. Geraldine from Burgundy

Hi Bobbi,
Thank you for your post – for your followers they are a ray of sunshine – although it appears you have had enough of that for a bit! Scanning the forecast for this great land, could not find a cool place to repose. Perhaps out on the water, a sail boat? Seeking the shade here too (Surrey BC), wearing cotton/linen clothes, placing ice in front of fans. We don’t suffer the humidity that you do, but I have lived in ON where no one was outside, but inside hugging the AC.
Reading The One Man (Andrew Gross), a WW II story. And the New Yorker.
Hope you are well, looking forward to your next post AND your next book!
best,
Agnes

A novel, how exciting! Prayers and good vibes sent your way.
Most days I’m trying to enjoy this unexpected mauziness (is that even a word?). Come February we will be complaining the other way, that it is too cold/snowy. A couple things to keep cool – close all windows and curtains to keep out the sun/heat and ice in front of a fan.
I’m currently reading The Boat People by Sharon Bala.
Take care.

Oh, Bobbi! You know I cannot prelate to the menopause thing, but humidity (a friend in Newfoundland swears her father only ever called it “humdidity”, which sounds about right) is a plague. Fortunately here in this eastern edge of a place, we can always count on the fog to mitigate the humidity.
As for my reading, I am enjoying “Prague in Danger”, a fascinating look at the plight of Prague in the Nazi era, told by a man, Peter Demetz, who was busy growing up there and surviving. It is a riveting tale of what one intelligent nation, in the throes of mighty ego, can do to another. A cautionary tale for our time perhaps? I will be visiting Prague in the fall, so this is very instructive.
In any weather your new book will be more than a welcome treat for all of us faithful finders! Bonne chance!

I am always pleased to get a post from you and I will be on the lookout for the novel. Humidity is not a particular problem in Alberta but I was in Austria recently and the heat and humidity made my feet swell.
Whenever possible I soak my feet in cold water or run the hose over them. It helps! Probably not helpful or encouraging but, at 71, I am past the hormonal thing. Hot is just hot!

Hi Bobbi!
I am working my way through garden harvests, ( still on the acerage)
I did three music festivals this summer and as usual ended up frying or being drenched. I might stick to indoor ones next year.. getting to old for this foolishness. ( get my first OAS cheque this week) . These days I am reading books and watching the TV series on DVDs about Anthony Bourdain. I had not heard of him before his sad passing so figured I should find out a little bit about his life. I am enjoying his travel series very much and now of course feel sad for our loss.
Cheering you on with your writing and wishing you comfortable weather for a few more months at least. I like it cool too.